Set in one of Toronto’s oldest parks, Allen Gardens Conservatory includes six greenhouses covering 16,000 square feet. The centre piece is a historic, glass dome known as “The Palm House”, built in 1910. This lush, indoor garden has a waterfall, fish ponds, banana trees and orchids. The Conservatory is run by the City of Toronto Parks Department.
The permanent collection of beautiful plants from around the world is supplemented with colourful flower shows. The most spectacular is the Christmas show when the greenhouses are decorated and filled with poinsettias. It starts on the first Sunday of December and continues through the month. The Spring Show runs from February to April, but peaks at Easter. The Fall Chrysanthemum show features over 80 varieties of mums and runs through October.
Admission is free.